Podcasts · Read-Aloud Revival ®

RAR #288: Why Board Books Are Important Tools (and Toys!) with Tabitha Paige

1 Oct 2026 · 35 min · Episode 288

There is a type of children’s book that we haven’t talked much about here in twelve years of Read-Aloud Revival. But it’s one that almost anyone who has spent time with babies knows well: board books.

Board books are how so many of our kids meet stories and books for the first time. They’re often the first books babies and littles are able to really get their hands (and mouths!) on, and experience touching the pictures and turning the pages for themselves.

So today, we’re going to do a bit of a deep dive on board books, and I couldn’t think of a better person to join me for this than bestselling author and illustrator Tabitha Paige. Tabitha is a speech language pathologist as well as a creator of absolutely stunning board books, and in this episode she shares all about what they can do for our littlest readers as well as what to look for when choosing board books.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How board books create positive experiences that make kids want to come back to books again and again • Why realistic illustrations are an important tool for building vocabulary • The way the multi-sensory experience of physically interacting with a board book enhances learning

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival • Waxwing Books • Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/tabitha-paige

Links in the notes 3

• https://readaloudrevival.com/
• https://readaloudrevival.com/waxwing
• https://read-aloud-revival.ck.page/d22f467fe7

The episode on the publisher’s site ↗ (opens in a new tab)